Saturday, April 2, 2016

Olive Wreath and the Olympic Games

The olive tree that produces
olive oil in ancient Greece was considered a symbol of prosperity, wisdom,
glory and peace. The Olympians took a prize like a wreath of olive branches. It
was the most unique and prestigious prize that could ever be given to humans. The
olive wreath, called ‘Kotinos’, was the single prize of the Olympic Games
winners.

Legend says that the olive tree
from which they made wreaths for the Olympic champions, was planted by semi-god
Heracles at Olympia where the Olympics were taking place in ancient Greece and
where they got their name from. Also from the olive tree of Athena on the
Acropolis, they were taking branches and making wreaths for the winners of the
races which took place in Athens, the Panathenean festival.

Homer was refering to the olive
oil as "liquid gold", whilst the founder of medicine, ancient Greek
Hippocrates, (400 BC.) believed it to be a "great healer.”. Also, the
ancient Greek god of medicine Asclepius, the philosopher Theophrastus (300 BC)
and the historian Plutarch (100 BC) had praised the healing properties of the
olive oil. Therefore, it is understandable why the olive wreath had such an
important role and symbolism in the ancient Greek world, and especially for the
Olympic Games.

About Me

I have studied Theology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Theology, International Relations at the University of London (Queen Mary). My Master's Thesis was published as a book: 'The Aegean Sea Dispute Between Greece and Turkey - The Consequences for NATO and the EU'. For more information see: http://www.akakia.net/el/the-aegean-sea-dispute-between-greece-and-turkey
I have also studied Byzantine Music in Athens and I am currently undertaking a research on the “Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius and its contribution towards Anglican – Orthodox Relations”, at the University of Winchester.
I also represent the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain at the A.E.C.A. If you wish to contact me you can email me: demetrifs1@yahoo.com